What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

The development of Chabahar Port in Iran is strategically significant for India because it provides a dedicated sea-land transit route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan. Historically, Pakistan has restricted India's land access to these regions. By using Chabahar, located on the Gulf of Oman in southeastern Iran, India can ship goods to the port and then transport them via road and rail networks (such as the Zaranj-Delaram highway) into Afghanistan and the broader Central Asian region. This connectivity was formalized through a trilateral transit agreement between India, Iran, and Afghanistan in 2016, ensuring India is no longer dependent on Pakistani territory for trade with these landlocked areas.